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China cries with Liu

AFP, Beijing
China suffered a huge setback Monday to its hopes of winning gold on the track when superstar Liu Xiang sensationally pulled out of the 110m hurdles, taking the gloss off the hosts' best Olympics ever.
The country's 1.3 billion people had been banking on Liu to shine, but he has been troubled by a foot tendon injury and was clearly in pain when he lined up for his race and pulled up before the first hurdle in a false start.
The dejected star, one of the faces of the Beijing Olympics along with basketbailer Yao Ming, limped down the tunnel of the Bird's Nest stadium to a stunned silence from the 91.000 watching fans.
I Ju, the defending champion, has been absent from international competition for most of the year ant) his coach Sun Haipingsaid ihehurdler has been suffering from the Achilles' heel injury forsixlo sevenyears.
"It just got worse," Sun said at a hastily arranged press conference in which he broke down in tears.
"His right heel injury has been a problem since six years ago, even before the Athens Olympics.
"On August 16, we arrived at the Olympic village, medical experts analyzed Liu's injury and specified there was a problem on Liu's Achilles's tendon."
The Chinese team's head coach Feng Shuyong added: "I think the Chinese people will understand the situation and will encourage him to come back to the track and perform well."
Seldom could there have been more pressure and expectation placed on an athlete than there has been on Liu since he confirmed his class in winning the title in Athens four years ago.
The 25-year-old looked a certainty to defend his title successfully until Cuban Dayron Robles threw down the gauntlet this season.
While Liu has not been seen on the European circuit, 21-year-old Robles has torn it up with some devastating performances.
He capped it by breaking Liu's world record in a stunning hurdling display in the Czech Republic, timing 12.87 seconds in June. He clocked 13.39 seconds in his heat Monday to be hot favourite for gold.
The sudden withdrawal of Liu, whose face can be seen on billboards and in TV ads pushing everything from local milk to big Western brands, shocked fans, who count him as a symbol of China's burgeoning success in the world.
"I can't believe this has happened. He is my hero," said Sun Yejun, 30, a Volkgswagon quality control engineer in Beijing as she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
"I came here especially to see him. I am devastated. I just bought one ticket. The Olympics is over for
me as well as Liu Xiang."
It took the shine off China revel ling in its best Olympic gold meda achievement.
The host country has betterei the 32 gold it won in Athens and i on its way to becoming only th third country since World War II -after the United States and th Soviet Union -- to top the end-of Games medal table
So far it has 39 gold to the Unitei States' 20, but track and field i traditionally an American domaii and the balance of power i expected to shift.
Cui Dalin, deputy chef de mis sion of the Chinese delegation admits the medals will likely star drying up.
"With events like track and field China's pace in winning gold med als will slow down," he said.
The country's gymnasts con tin ued their dominance.
The have already had their bes Olympics since Los Angeles in 198 where they won four gold, havin; now won eight.
He Kexin won the women' uneven bars Monday, with Nasti Liukin of the Uniled States takin silver even though she scored th same mark as her rival.
In the men’s rings competitior Chen Yibing won gold with compa triot Yang Wei making it a one-tw finish for the home nation.
He Wenna capped the day b takingthe women's trampoline title
Elsewhere, China's men's tabi tennis team - Ma Lin, Wang Hat Wang Liqin -- beat European pow erhouse Germany in the team final